X-Men: Fate

Moonstar's Rhapsody

Logan looked down upon Reva, Adrian, and Reth as each of the three stood in the Danger Room.

"News travels fast around the school," Reva said. "You're Reth, the boy scout, and you're Adrian, the lone wolf. You're both good-looking, you've got that going for you, and you both must have a pair if you're down here and trying to be a part of this. Now, all that's left to know is what you can do."

"I would agree," Reth said. "Maybe not with your assessment of us, but I agree that this school is an information highway if you know the right people and ask the right questions. I already know what you can do Reva." He extended a hand.

"Oh do you," she said, taking his hand.

"Around the school it's called Solar Mutagen," Reth said, shaking her hand right before giving her a brief hug and smiling. "You can absorb solar energy, which you use either to cause destruction or facilitate growth. Nice to meet you by the way."

"So maybe you're a little more than a boy scout," Reva said and chuckled. She turned to Adrian. "And you, what do you have to say about yourself?"

"Nothing," Adrian said. "Don't worry about me. I mean, don't worry about getting to know me. We have a job we need to do. That's all that matters."

"Hey," Reth said. He moved toward Adrian and placed a hand on his shoulder while he extended a hand to him. "We're not going to turn on you. At least, I can say for sure I won't. The past is the past." He gave Adrian a disarming smile.

"Sorry," Adrian questioned, pulling away from Reth. This guy had him feeling some type of way, and he wasn't sure if he was uncomfortable in a bad way or a good way.

"I apologize," Reth said and quickly shook his head. "Sometimes my empathy and ability cross wires.

"Seems like he doesn't like to be touched," Reva said. "Seems he's defensive for some reason too." She went and stood beside Reth, crossed her arms, and rolled her eyes. "Verdict's still out on whether this one's going to be a good fit for the team."

"You must think I care what you think," Adrian said.

"Reva," Reth said. He wondered if these two would be able to get along.

"I call it like I see it," Reva said, speaking to Reth and now ignoring Adrian. "You know what he can do?"

"I do," Reth said, giving her his attention and then giving Adrian his attention. "I'm not going to say anything about it though." Even if the three of them didn't like each other, they had to build some trust among them because eventually they'd be working together.

"If she gets the chance," Adrian told Reth, "she can see for herself." He and Reva then glared at each other.

"I look forward to it," Reva said. "We can go right now!"

"No," Adrian said suddenly and abruptly. He turned away from both of them but mostly Reva. If I fight other students, other mutants, people won't believe I've changed, especially if they find out the truth about me.

"What he said," Reth said, looking after Adrian with concern before turning to Reva to speak with her earnestly. "Let's wait for Professor Howlett like we're supposed to. I have a feeling if he caught you two fighting it would be bad for all three of us."

"You actually make a good point," Reva said with a nervous chuckle. "Logan's definitely tough and no joke. While we wait for him though, why don't you tell me what you can do."

"This has to do with your idea," Forge said to Ororo, "doesn't it?"

"It does," Ororo said, standing before Forge, Emma, and Danielle. "Yes."

"Do you think they're ready for this?" Danielle asked. "And by this, I mean Logan."

Danielle brought a brief smile to Logan's face, but neither she nor the others saw it.

"I want to say we all have some reservations," Danielle said. "It could just be me. Based on what I've heard from everyone, I worry about them, their well-being. Remy's mentioned Reva's temper a few times. We've all seen the affect that can have on a group." She eyes Logan as she says this. "Kurt has valid concerns about Adrian, who has suffered a lot of personal and psychological damage that could grow worse within the dangerous and hostile environments he'll find himself." She glances at Emma as she says this. "Jubilation says nothing but good things about Reth, which in and of itself isn't bad, but the work they might have to do will change them. Who can say Reth can handle this? Has he ever been in the hectic, violent situations he'll inevitably face?" She focuses on Ororo as she says this. "I think we can agree that X-Men are soldiers, even if they do work toward peace."

"They are not ready," Ororo said, "but they have to be. The X-Men chose them. Although they have abilities that might stand a chance against the onslaught of chaos, this will not matter if they cannot work together as a team, which is why we must bring them together against a common enemy."

"Me," Logan said without turning to face the others.

"We will test their limits," Ororo said. "We will see if they can band together to overcome insurmountable odds."

"You make excellent points Danielle," Emma said. "However, you forget one thing. We are not and have not forced them to be a part of this. You could possibly argue they might be too young to make the decision, but they chose to meet, to train, and to come here. Besides, we are running out of time."

"What do you mean?" Danielle asked. "Is it Jean?"

Emma nodded. Danielle looked upon Logan.

"If they can prove themselves here against Logan," Emma said, "they are coming with me on their first mission: to save Jean before she dies."

"You can't be serious," Danielle said. "So many lives would be at stake. We can't put their lives in danger like that, and we can't put Jean's life in their hands. It's too much of a burden. It's too much pressure."

"Ever read Ender's Game?" Forge asked. "I'm not saying we should, but maybe if we lied to them it would get them through it."

"I had the same idea Forge," Emma said. "Unfortunately, Ororo felt building this team on a foundation of lies would only cause trouble and undermine Charles' beliefs and teachings."

"We won't lie," Logan said. "Professor X would give them a chance. He could see potential and the ties between people. Now, I'm no Professor X, but if these three are willing to give this a shot I'm going to let them."

Ororo turned around and faced Logan.

Danielle went and stood beside Logan to look down upon the three kids.

"Do you think they can save Jean," Danielle asked, "or do you just want them to?"

Ororo knew however Logan answered this question would determine how she would have Emma and Forge proceed. Either she would support Logan and her initial idea or support Danielle and guide them all to a different end.

"Reva might turn out to be this team's leader," Logan said without looking at Danielle. "Reth might come up from behind though. Prove he's best for the job. Adrian's used to being a soldier, so he'll follow whoever's in command, but he's seen horrors so he'll be able to advise them, ground them." He looks to Danielle. "I want them to save Jean, but if they can't show me they can they won't."

They shared a brief silence.

"Then," Danielle said, "I'm with you." She looked back down upon Reva, Adrian, and Reth. "After all, X-Men aren't just soldiers. They are a lot more than just that."